{"id":50038,"date":"2023-05-19T09:03:23","date_gmt":"2023-05-19T13:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=50038"},"modified":"2023-05-19T09:03:23","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T13:03:23","slug":"hyundai-kia-agree-to-200-million-settlement-over-us-car-thefts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=50038","title":{"rendered":"Hyundai, Kia agree to $200 million settlement over U.S. car thefts – Autoblog"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON \u2014 Hyundai<\/a> Motor and Kia<\/a> Corp agreed to a consumer class-action lawsuit settlement worth $200 million over rampant car thefts<\/a> of the Korean automakers’ vehicles, lawyers for the owners and the automakers said on Thursday.<\/p>\n

In February, the Korean automakers said they would offer software upgrades to 8.3 million U.S. vehicles without anti-theft immobilizers to help curb increasing car thefts using a method popularized on TikTok and other social media channels.<\/p>\n

The settlement covers about 9 million U.S. owners and includes up to $145 million for out-of-pocket losses for consumers who had cars stolen, lawyers for the owners said.<\/p>\n

Hyundai and Kia said they will compensate owners “who incurred theft-related vehicle losses or damage in addition to reimbursement for insurance<\/a> deductibles, increased insurance premiums, and other theft related losses.”<\/p>\n

For customers whose vehicles cannot accommodate security software upgrades, the Korean automakers will provide up to $300 for the purchase of steering wheel locks<\/a> and other theft deterrent or prevention devices.<\/p>\n

“The settlement will provide benefits as soon as possible to those who have suffered out-of-pocket losses,” said Steve Berman, a lawyer representing owners.<\/p>\n

TikTok videos showing how to steal cars without push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices has led to at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities in the United States, regulators said in February.<\/p>\n

The consumer settlement covers owners of 2011 through 2022 model year Hyundai or Kia vehicles with a traditional “insert-and-turn” steel key ignition system. It includes payments for total loss of vehicles up to $6,125, damage to vehicle and personal property up to $3,375 and insurance-related expenses.<\/p>\n

Other related expenses including car rental<\/a>, taxi or other transportation costs not covered by insurance are also included by the settlement.<\/p>\n

Owners can get reimbursed for towing<\/a> costs and for stolen vehicles<\/a> that suffered crashes or were never recovered, as well as payments for tickets or other penalties or fines incurred arising from a stolen vehicle.<\/p>\n

Many major cities have sued the automakers over the thefts including St. Louis, Missouri, Cleveland, Ohio; San Diego, California; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Columbus, Ohio; Baltimore and Seattle.<\/p>\n

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